By Drew Wilson

Oil Kings strike first with 5-3 win over Raiders in playoff opener

Mar 22, 2014 | 6:09 PM

Cole Cheveldave came off the bench and gave the Raiders a chance to win before bowing 5-3 to the Oil Kings in Edmonton in the opener of their best of 7 WHL Eastern quarterfinal.

The overage netminder stopped 32 of 33 shots including a second period breakaway save off Brett Pollock and a third period skate save on a shot that totally changed direction.

The Oil Kings jumped out to a 3-1 lead 11:35 into the game on Pollock's second goal which beat starting goalie Nick McBride high short side from a sharp angle. The 16-year-old was pulled after giving up three goals on nine shots.

However Brendan Guhle's first WHL goal gave the Raiders life late in the first period as he converted a beautiful back door feed from Jayden Hart. The Raiders tied it midway through the second when Dakota Conroy swatted in a Josh Morrissey's power play rebound.

The Oil Kings counted the winner with just four seconds left in the middle frame. Tyler Robertson re-directed a point pass from Dyson Mayo into the top corner after the linesmen missed an icing call against Edmonton.

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Cheveldave was outstanding in the third period with several big saves while Oil Kings goalie Tristan Jarry stopped Collin Valcourt from in close after a fine feed from Leon Draisaitl. Morrissey missed picking the top corner from the left wing circle shortly before the Raiders pulled Cheveldave for a 6th attacker.

Curtis Lazar won a race for the puck just outside the Raider blue line and scored into the empty net with less than a minute remaining. However Chance Braid made the final statement with a resounding hit on Edmonton defenseman Cody Corbett in the dying seconds.

Morrissey rounded out the Raider scoring with a first period blast into the top corner.

Dyson Mayo also scored for the Oil Kings who outshot the Raiders 43-24.

Game two is Sunda at 4 p.m. from Rexall place with games 3 and 4 back in Prince Albert Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets remain available to the general public at the Art Hauser Centre box office from noon to 5pm Sunday with guaranteed $5,000 50-50 draws in both games.

All Raider games are broadcast on 900 CKBI with coverage Sunday beginning at 3:30. 

 dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: @RaidersVoice